What concerts have you attended?

[BoneSnapDeez]

Seriously dawg?

You know you can get those silicone "swimming plugs" that block like 20-30 dB and don't muffle the sound. It's just like having a lower volume setting. I was right next to the stage and would have been boned otherwise. The guys in the band wore them.

In my younger days I would have skipped 'em, but I don't enjoy having my ears ring for 12-24 hours after every show I attend.

[dsheinem]

Seriously dawg?

You know you can get those silicone "swimming plugs" that block like 20-30 dB and don't muffle the sound. It's just like having a lower volume setting. I was right next to the stage and would have been boned otherwise. The guys in the band wore them.

In my younger days I would have skipped 'em, but I don't enjoy having my ears ring for 12-24 hours after every show I attend.

Yup, seriously. I recognize it is a douchey/HARDCORE position, but I do subscribe to it.

I'm of the opinion that a good rock show should leave you feeling it for a day or so after. If you are in a band and playing every night, I can see wearing some protection as your livelihood is wrapped up in your ears. If you are a fan who just hits up the occasional show, though, I can't abide any kind of blocking/muffling/etc. I'm the dude at the show shooting you dirty looks.

Again, I do recognize that there's good science indicating that there can be real permanent danger to some people from a loud show, but I also feel like rock n' roll is largely a celebration risk, carelessness, loss, pain, etc. and that it is one of those contexts where you must throw caution to the wind to really get the full experience, consequences be damned.

[Ack]

Considering Bone listens to black metal, which often sounds like it was recorded in a tunnel, I would say the muffling effect of earplugs actually makes the sound more authentic.

[AppleQueso]

lol Dave wow

FWIW I feel like they're a lot more important in tinier venues (small bars, etc) than they are in bigger shows, buuuuuutttttttt

lol wow

[jmbarnes101]

Let's see...
While in high school I attended the Hammer/Boys II Men/TLC concert - 4th row. One of TLC members was ill so they didn't perform.

My ex-wife and I saw Green Day twice, once with Blink 182. We also saw the Barenaked Ladies with the Proclaimers. Green Day and BNL were both great live. Blink 182 not so much.

My most recent two concerts were Bob Dylan in Rochester and the two day outdoor event in Prior Lake, MN. There I saw Sugar Ray, Smashmouth, Uncle Kracker, and Blues Traveler on day 1 and Trace Adkins and Maggie Rose on day 2. It was a fun event and plan on going again this year even though its $10 more and the music less then exciting. This year will be Dwight Yoakam, Rodney Atkins, Chris Hawkey, and Daughtry.

[dsheinem]

lol wow

I have eye daggers to spare for you too, heathen.

Blink 182.

Sugar Ray, Smashmouth, Uncle Kracker.

I will say that these shows are acceptable contexts for earplugs. The more muffled, the better

[TSTR]

hey now
you're an all star

[MrPopo]

hey now
you're an all star

At the Windows 8 ship party we had Smash Mouth as the band. It was awesome.

[J T]

Yup, seriously. I recognize it is a douchey/HARDCORE position, but I do subscribe to it.

I'm of the opinion that a good rock show should leave you feeling it for a day or so after. If you are in a band and playing every night, I can see wearing some protection as your livelihood is wrapped up in your ears. If you are a fan who just hits up the occasional show, though, I can't abide any kind of blocking/muffling/etc. I'm the dude at the show shooting you dirty looks.

Again, I do recognize that there's good science indicating that there can be real permanent danger to some people from a loud show, but I also feel like rock n' roll is largely a celebration risk, carelessness, loss, pain, etc. and that it is one of those contexts where you must throw caution to the wind to really get the full experience, consequences be damned.

Don't knock it till you tried it. Sometimes shows sound better through ear plugs since they cut out a lot of the reverb and ambient noise. Speaker stacks can get louder than they ever could in the past, so musicians who still think it's better to turn it up to 11 end up killing their own sound.

Judge me if you want, but I'll just make fun of you under my breath to Bone and we'll have a good laugh at the insults you can't hear.

[dsheinem]

Judge me if you want, but I'll just make fun of you under my breath to Bone and we'll have a good laugh at the insults you can't hear.

Another ringing endorsement for not wearing earplugs!